Guide for flexible lines



Oct. 28, 1958 w. G. ANTON. ET AL GUIDE FOR FLEXIBLE LINES Filed Spt. 20,1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 iarr m Imii JOHN SIMPSON WILL/AM a. ANTONINVENTORY HUEBNER, BEEHLER,

WORREL 8 HERZ/G A TTORNEVS Oct. 28, 1958 w. G. ANTON ET AL 2,858,106

GUIDE FOR FLEXIBLE LINES Filed Sept. 20. 1954 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g /9 2348 3/ JOHN E SIMPSON R2 1 I WILL/AM a. ANTON r?! i 3, INVENTORS 0 Fig/0, HUEBNER, BEEHLER, /5 /7 /5 WORREL & HERZ/G l8 ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent GUIDE FOR FLEXIBLE LINES William G. Anton and John F.Simpson, Fresno, Calif.

Application September 20, 1954, Serial No. 456,998

6 Claims. (Cl. 254-190) The present invention relates to auxiliaryapparatus for use in stringing, stretching or otherwise locatingflexible lines between support members therefor which has particularapplication to such operations conducted over uneven or hilly terrain,or along Zig-Zag or irregular contours, tracks and the like.

In the past, there has been little or no particularly significantimprovements made in the age old method of stringing cables, wires, orother lines between support posts. This task is most frequentlyencountered in stretching plain or barbed Wire between fence posts. Thisoperation is relatively simple when the posts are all in alignment alonglevel ground but has, in the past, been exceedingly difficult and timeconsuming on hilly terrain or where other than a straight line isfollowed. Consider, for example, a succession of hills and valleys withfence posts located on the hills and in the valleys. Initially the wireis laid along the ground next to the row of posts. One end is thenattached to an endrnost post and the other end is pulled, usually with ablock and tackle fence stretcher, to tension the wire. Obviously, thisprocedure is impracticable since the wire digs into the ground in; thehills, assuming a position too low for proper attachment to the posts onthe hill, and rises above the posts in the valleys, frequently toheights beyond the reach of workmen.

Therefore, it has been necessary, prior to the present invention, tostring the Wires for only a very few posts at a time to permit properhandling and stretching. This is an undesirable, tedious and timeconsuming operation and is completely avoided by utilization of thedevice of this invention. Previously, the major expense of each fencewas frequently the labor required successively to stretch short reachesof the wire so as to permit the stretching to be performed in practicalincrements. Similar problems exist where the fence posts are arranged"along an irregular path or where wire is to be strung around corners.

Although probably more frequently occurringin fencing operations, theprinciples of this invention apply equally as well to the stringing oftelephone, power or other cables, rope or for that matter, any flexibleline to be mounted on a succession of support members.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to facilitate the stringing,positioning, stretching or mounting of flexible lines between supportmembers.

Another object is to enable the stretching of flexible lines between alarge number of spaced support members regardless of their alignment.

Another object is to enable the stretching of flexible lines betweensuch support members in a single operation rather than between only afew support members at a time.

Another object is to provide a guiding device releasably attachable to asupport member for constraining a flexible line. during stretching or.stringing of the line to a position closely adjacent to the desiredposition of attachment of the line to the member.

Another object is to provide a guiding device, as in the foregoingparagraph, which is adapted for convenient reception and release of aline and which is adapted releasably to confine the line therein uponselected arrangement of the parts thereof.

Another object is to provide a line stringing guide which constrains theline to a position adjacent to a support member during stretching orstringing thereof and which is adapted, to hold the line substantiallyagainst the support member to enable attachment thereto.

Another object is to provide a line stringing guide, as set forth in thepreceding objects, which is adapted for use on various shapes of supportmembers, such as wooden and metallic posts, poles and on buildings orother structures.

Other objects are to provide a guide for use in the stretching andstringing of flexible lines: such as wire, rope, cable, cord and thelike which is simple in form and construction, economical tomanufacture, adaptable to a variety of operational environments,adjustable, and highly effective for its intended purposes.

These and other objects will become more fully apparent upon referenceto the following description.

in the drawing:

Fig. l is an elevational View of a fence illustrating the utility of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary view of a pair of fence postsof Fig. l with the wire broken away and showing an enlargement of thepresent invention used in connection therewith.

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross section through a fence post and showing aplan view of the apparatus of the present invention. i

Fig. 4- is a fragmentary side elevation of a fence post and an end viewof the apparatus of this invention.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section taken on line 77 of Fig. 4-.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the line in a differentposition of use. p

Fig.9 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 3 showing modified formsof both the post and mounting means for the device of the presentinvention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the post of Fig. 9 alsoshowing an end view of the holder of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a rear detail elevation of the brackets provided in the formof the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Referring more particularly to the drawings:

In Figs. 3 and 4, is shown the guide 10 of the present inventionattached to a support post 11.

The guide 10 has an eyelet or ring portion 15 preferably of hollow,thin-walled hyperbo-loidal form providing a central bore 16 defining aneyelet axis. The bore is flared outwardly at the ends thereof and isconstricted toward the center. This construction has a specialadvantage, particularly with barbed wire, as will be seen in thedescription of the operation and use of the invention. The

eyelet has an outer arcuate surface 17 generally conforming to thecurvature of the bore. Further, the eyelet provides rims 18 radiallyrelated to the eyelet axis and additionally, includes a slot 19 disposedin a plane substantially coincident with a plane containing the eyeletaxis.

The eyelet 15 may be cast in the shape shown and de 1y u-shaped straphaving longitudinal edges forming rims 18 and end edges spaced to formslot 19 and with the convex surfaces of the strap facing inwardly. Suchreference is not intended, however, to limit the manner of producing thedevice in any way.

A resilient -arcuate clasp 21 conforming in shape to the bore 16 isprovided for the eyelet and includes a pair of hooked-ends -22 slidablyfitted-to-the rims '18.

One of the ends 22 has an outwardlyextended finger tab 23forreleasingthe clasp from the eyelet. 'The clasp has a widthsomewhatgreaterthan the slot 19 and, in use,'is adaptedfor movement intobridging relation over the slot disposedinwardly of the eyelet.

The guide is is also equipped with a plurality of legs 25, preferablytwo pair of such legs, extended outwardly fromeach rim 18 and in a-direction substantially perpendicularly-relatedto the place'of the slot19, one pair ;-being in 'opposed relation to the other pair. The legsare thus arranged in substantially a rectangular pattern and are ofequallength so that, when placed against-a support surface, they supportthe eyelet in such a manner that the eyelet axis is parallel to thesupport a guide 10 is held against the side of the postl'lon which" thewire 65 is eventually to be attached with the legs 25 firmly basedagainst the post, as seen in Fig.3, with the r post in which event theplate 36 abuts the portion of the post adjacent thereto. With'widerposts, the tips of the surface. "Eachpair of legs is connected by across bar 7 26 extended therebetween in spaced relation to the rimadjacent thereto.

The legs adjacent to the slot have ramps 30 associated therewithproviding front edges 31 inclined outwardly of the slot 19 toward thebase of the leg'and forming a smooth juncture 32 with the respective rim18. Further, each ramp has a back edge33 perpendicular to itsrespectiveleg and lying in a plane substantially parallel to the planeof the slot. structed integrally as a part of the legs, as shown, butcan be independent thereof, if desired. They may comprise separateelements welded or otherwise secured to the eyelet" on the rim or on theouter surface 17 in such a position as to accomplish a similar functionto the illustrated ramps.

A plate 36 is extended between the rims 18 centrally of the legs 25 andis disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the slot19.

A flexible-belt, band or strap is provided and is fitted through thespaces between the cross bars 26 and theadjacentrims 18a The belt has abuckle or an equivalent fastener indicated generally at 41, thereonwhereby the belt maybe wrapped around the post 11 and fastened securelythereto.

In Figs. 9-11 is shown another form of fastener to be usedwith anotherform of post. A steel T-shaped post 45, of well known form is shownhaving a support flange 46 and-amounting flange 47. The support flangeaddition- These ramps'may be conally has a: plurality of longitudinallyspaced projecting knobs 48 thereon. A pair of angulated brackets 49 areprovided,'each having a guideconnecting portion 50' and a post mountingportion 51. The connecting portions have cars 52 extended therefromwhich are adapted to fit into the space between the cross bars 26 andthe adjacent rims 18. The mounting'portions are adapted to embrace themounting flange of the post and provide apertures 53 for receiving abolt 54. A nut 55 threaded on the bolt holds the mounting'plate securelyin place.

Operation The operation and use of this invention is believed to bereadilyapparentand is briefly summarized at this point,

A popular use for the device of this invention is that of stringing wireto fence posts. Thus, in Figs. 1 and 2, is shown afence, generallyindicated at 60, including a row of fence posts'll, alternately locatedin valleys 62 and on hills 63. Wires 64 are strung between'the posts.Assuming for amoment that top wire 65 is yet to be strung, the guides 10are first attached to each of. the posts in the approximate position inwhich the upper. wire is to be located. 7

Thus, considering first the posts 11 in the valleys 62,

legs are adaptedto dig intothepost in order to holdthe guide firmly inplace and to prevent twisting. It is, of

course, preferable that the legs grasp the post and tha't" the" plateabut the post concurrently, This frequently oc- The belt 40 is threadedaround the cross-bar 26,

curs. strapped around the post, and fastenedwith buckle 41.

This same procedure is followed with posts 11 on the hills 63 with theexception that slots 19 are directed upwardly, as seen in Fig. 2, at theright.

Next, the clasps 21 are slid away from bridging rela-* tion with theslots 19, or simply removed from the device, exposing each of the slots.The wire 65 is attached to the endmost post 11, not shown, in the rowand successively threaded through or placed in the bores 16 of all theguides 10. This includes the entire row of posts to be After" each guidehas received the wire, its clasp is slid back, 'o'r reclipped, intobridging relation over the slot thereof," thus preventing accidentalslippage of the wire from the strung and not just one small sectionthereof.

bore.

A pulling force, not shown, is thenapplied to the free end of the wire65, until suflicient tension has been placed on the wire to achieve adesired tightening action. It should be noted that during tensioning ofthe wire, it

remains substantially in the same place relative to the post that itassumes subsequent to tensioning when even tually connected to the post.Thus the wire does 'not rise above posts in valleys and dig into theground adjacent 1 to post on hills.

With tension still applied to wire 65, the clasps 21 are removed frombridged position by sliding movement alongj rims 18 or by completelyremoving them from the eyelet by pressing back on tab 23. This exposesthe slots '19. At each of the posts 11, the wire is successively liftedoutof the bores 16 through the slots, moved back into junctures 32,forced up the inclined edges 31 and permitted to drop behind the backedge 33 of the ramps 30. The

wire is then in convenient position for stapling or nailing 52 behindthe cross bars 26 and bringing the mountingportions 51 into parallelspaced relation. The mounting portions embrace the mounting flange 47and the connecting portions abutrearwardly against the support flange ofthe post. nut 55 draws the brackets together against the post.

When the wire 65 is tensioned and is removed from the eyelet, it isplaced into position behind edges 33 adjacent If to the post and iswired or otherwise aflixedto the post 45.

The advantages of the invention are believed readily-" apparent. Itoffers a speedy, simplified and safe methodfor stringing or stretching aflexible line to a successionof posts or other support members. It hasmany applica- I tions in that it can be used for installing cables,wires,

ropes and the like. It reduces a long, tedious, expensive task, asconventionally practiced, to a short, simple,'eco-' nomical procedure.

Although the invention has been herein shownl and described in what isconceived to be the most practical: f and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that" depar turesmay be made"therefromwithin the scope'of theThus the plate 36 positively abuts Bolt 54 extends through apertures 53and invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosedherein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as toembrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. An auxiliary device for temporarily supporting lines and the like inapproximate positions of desired mounting on support members thereforcomprising an elongated tubular member having opposite endwardlydisposed rims and a slot longitudinally extended between the rims in aplane radially of the tubular member permitting passage of a linetherethrough, pairs of legs rigidly secured to the rims and radiallyoutwardly extended from the tubular member substantially normal to theplane of the slot, and a guiding element extended outwardly from thetubular member adjacent to the slot having a front edge facing in thedirection of the slot and a rear edge facing in a direction away fromthe slot adapted to guide a line removed from the tubular member alongthe front edge into a position releasably held against the rear edge ofthe guiding element.

2. An auxiliary device for temporarily supporting fence wires and thelike in approximate positions of desired mounting on fence poststherefor comprising an elongated tubular member having a hollowinterior, endwardly disposed substantially circular rims, and a slotlongitudinally extended between the rims in a plane radially of thetubular member permitting passage of a line in and out of the tubularmember, support legs laterally outwardly extended from the rimssubstantially normal to the plane of the slot, and camming rampsintegral with the legs adjacent to the rims having front edges outwardlyinclined from their respectively adjacent rims and rear edgessubstantially perpendicularly related to the inclined edges.

3. A guide for facilitating the stretching of wire between fence postshaving longitudinal axes comprising an eyelet having opposite ends and abore extended between the ends defining an eyelet axis, the ends of thebore being flared from a centrally constricted portion, the eyelethaving a slot therein in a plane common to the eyelet axis, legsextended from the eyelet in substantially perpendicular relation to theeyelet axis and angularly displaced from the slot, means for mountingthe legs against a post with the eyelet axis substantially perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the post, and camming ramps on the legshaving forward edges extended in chordal relation outwardly from theslot and rear edges substantially parallel to the plane of the slot andfacing outwardly away from the slot, the ramps being adapted to guideremoval of a wire laterally of the eyelet subsequent to removal from thebore through the slot and to retain such wire in lateral juxtapositionto a post on which the eyelet is mounted for connection of such wire tothe post.

4. A guide for use in stringing wires, cables, ropes, lines and the liketo support members comprising a hollow hyperboloidally-shaped eyelethaving an inwardly disposed convex surface, an outer concave surface,circular end edges constituting rims and a central axis concentric tothe rims, the eyelet having a slot therein lying in a planesubstantially coincident with a plane containing said central axis, apair of legs mounted in spaced relation on each rim substantiallyradially extended from the eyelet in a direction angularly displacedfrom the plane of said slot and with the legs on one rim in opposedrelation to the legs on the other rim, cams integral with correspondinglegs of each pair of legs providing camming edges outwardly extended inchordal relation from the rims and corresponding back edges extendedfrom said camming edges in a plane substantially parallel to the planeof the slot and facing outwardly away from the slot, a cross barextended between each pair of legs in spaced relation to the rimadjacent thereto, means extended through the spaces between said crossbars and the rims for mounting the guide on a support member, a plateextended between the rims centrally of the opposed pairs of legs, and aresilient arcuate clasp adapted to bridge over the slot having a shapeconforming to the convex surface of the eyelet, a pair of hooked endsslidably fitted on the rims, of the eyelet, and an outwardly extendedpiece adjacent to one of the hooked ends adapted to permit fingerengagement therewith to facilitate removal of the clasp from the eyelet.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said means includes a flexibleband threaded through the spaces between the cross-bars and rims andhaving a fastener for tightening the strap around the support member.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said means includes a pair ofbrackets each having a connecting portion and a mounting portionperpendicularly related to each other, the connecting portions each.having an ear projecting therefrom individually extended into the spacebetween the respective cross bar and rim, the mounting portions beingadapted to embrace the support member and having openings therein, and afastener extended through the openings to tighten the mounting portionagainst the support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS369,447 Greenfield Sept. 6, 1887 370,386 Gholson Sept. 27, 1887 496,081Wright Apr. 25, 1893 1,664,321 Quist Mar. 27, 1928 1,705,584 OverstallMar. 19, 1929

